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Northern Ireland Completes Preparations For Major Waterski World Cup Stop Next Weekend

NORTHERN IRELAND COMPLETES PREPARATIONS FOR MAJOR WATERSKI WORLD CUP STOP NEXT WEEKEND

Following Russia’s thrilling Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop in Dubna, the highest ranked Waterskiers in the World are now heading for Enniskillen in Northern Ireland on August 12th / 13th. With US$780,000 at stake for the series, this will be their last Waterski Stop of 2006.

The Town of Enniskillen will be transformed into a major waterski and watersports centre during this period. The World Cup site is located just beneath Enniskillen’s 12th Century Castle on the banks of the River Erne and within a stone’s throw of the Town itself. An extensive advertising campaign is certain to draw large numbers of spectators this year. In anticipation, a new grand stand will be constructed and the general facilities expanded as the peak tourist season is now in full flow. The campaign includes outdoor poster sites, bus advertising, radio and TV spots. A special edited TV show will also be featured on SKY Sports and other networks throughout the world. A TV News Edit will be distributed by satellite worldwide shortly after the Finals next Sunday.

MasterCraft, the boat supplier for the entire Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup series this year, also announced that they will have a surprise in store for both the spectators and athletes at the weekend. Full details will be announced later.

At this stage, following World Cup Stops in Qatar, France, China and Russia, the real 2006 favourites for capturing a slice of the US$780,000 prize purse are becoming clearer. In Men’s Jump, there promises to be an enormous battle between the current series leader Freddy Krueger (USA), Jaret Llewellyn (CAN) and the talented Ryan Fitts (USA). In Women’s Jump, June Fladborg (DEN) made her mark in Russia over World Champion Ageliki Andriopoulou (GRE) and that battle will continue. In Men’s Shortboard, Nicolas LeForestier (FRA) may be too hard to beat following wins in Enniskillen last year and China and Russia this year. The Women’s duel will be between World Record holder Mandy Nightingale (USA) and Clementine Lucine (FRA). Both are capable of setting new World Records. In Slalom, virtually every major top ranked professional Man and Woman in the World will compete in Enniskillen. This will include the World Record Holder Chris Parrish (USA) and World Champion Regina Jaquess (USA). This will be Regina’s very first World Cup appearance and as the reigning World Champion, she will focus on Karen Truelove (USA) who has taken the World Cup Slalom titles in both Enniskillen last year and Dubna in Russia just a week ago.

The sponsors this year include Northern Ireland Events Company, Waterways Ireland, Fermanagh District Council, MasterCraft and the International Water Ski Federation. By combining their efforts, they have successfully created a major watersports festival throughout the month which will also include Canoe Polo, Wakeboarding, a Classic Boat Regatta, Heritage Barges and a Raft Race. With over 14 countries competing in this Waterski World Cup on August 12th / 13th, this promises to be a perfect ending to another thrilling Waterski World Cup series and a focus point for the entire County Fermanagh and Lough Erne watersports festival in Northern Ireland.

International Water Ski Federation President, Kuno Ritschard, stated that the warm welcome received in 2005 in Northern Ireland and the spectacular site, make Enniskillen the perfect final Stop for the top ranked Waterski athletes in the 2006 World Cup series.